Job summary
The Senior Inquest Advocate is a senior legal specialist within the Trust's Legal Services Department Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT), responsible for leading the effective management of Inquests and advising on complex healthcare legal matters. Reporting to the Associate Director (AD) of Legal Services, you will plays a key role in supporting the Trust's legal risk management, patient safety learning, and statutory compliance, with a strong emphasis on internal advocacy, expert legal advice, learning and service improvement.
As a qualified solicitor or chartered legal executive with extensive Inquest experience, the Senior Inquest Advocate will independently manage a high-profile and complex caseload, acting as the Trust's advocate at Coroner's Court, and provide specialist support with Court of Protection matters. This role demands a confident legal practitioner who can also supervise and develop junior staff, contribute to policy development, and enhance the overall effectiveness and capability of the in-house legal function.
Main duties of the job
You will oversee the day-to-day coordination of Inquests within the Trust, ensuring timely, consistent, and high-quality legal support to clinical and operational teams. This includes guiding staff through Inquest & court processes, supporting statement preparation, & ensure the Trust's legal responses are robust, patient-focused, compliant with relevant legislation, including the Coroners and Justice Act, Mental Capacity Act, & Court of Protection rules.
In addition to legal advocacy, you will play a pivotal role in analysing trends, identify lessons learned, feed insights into the Trust's governance, patient safety & training structures.
Working in this position also carries significant leadership responsibilities, including line management of legal services staff and helping to shape the strategic direction of the in-house Inquests function.
Collaborate closely with clinicians, operational leaders, the executive team, and external stakeholders such as Coroners and legal counsel, to represent the Trust's legal position effectively and ethically.
Independently manage a high-profile and complex caseload, acting as the Trust's advocate at Coroner's Court, and provide specialist support with Court of Protection matters.
Prepare concise reports and briefings for the Trust Board and executive team, translating complex legal issues into accessible information.
Liaise regularly with the clinical divisions, and operational leaders, supporting decision-making processes as required.
About us
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Are you looking for an exciting Senior Inquest Advocate role using your unique qualities, then we want to hear from you.
For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.
We look forward to your application.
Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Are you looking for an exciting Senior Inquest Advocate role using your unique qualities, then we want to hear from you.
For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.
We look forward to your application.
Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified solicitor and/or legal executive/equivalent.
- LLB Law Degree
- Relevant postgraduate legal qualification and/or LLM
- Completed Legal Practice Course (or equivalent)
- Evidence of continuous Professional Development
Desirable
- Court of Protection Experience
- Risk Management Qualification
- Leadership Qualification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Evidence of Inquest management and Inquest advocacy
- Proven experience in delivering a similar legal role within a pressurised service delivery environment
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and supporting Codes of Practice/Court Rules, the NHS Resolution Reporting Guidelines and Coroner's Rules and Regulations
- Demonstrable experience in Court of Protection matters, including serious medical treatment and mental capacity issues.
Desirable
- NHS Inquest handling experience
- Knowledge of medical terminology
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified solicitor and/or legal executive/equivalent.
- LLB Law Degree
- Relevant postgraduate legal qualification and/or LLM
- Completed Legal Practice Course (or equivalent)
- Evidence of continuous Professional Development
Desirable
- Court of Protection Experience
- Risk Management Qualification
- Leadership Qualification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Evidence of Inquest management and Inquest advocacy
- Proven experience in delivering a similar legal role within a pressurised service delivery environment
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and supporting Codes of Practice/Court Rules, the NHS Resolution Reporting Guidelines and Coroner's Rules and Regulations
- Demonstrable experience in Court of Protection matters, including serious medical treatment and mental capacity issues.
Desirable
- NHS Inquest handling experience
- Knowledge of medical terminology
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
